Agenda Item # 3

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

05/27/2014

Agenda Report # 123


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Claflin School - Extension of Ownership

INITIATED BY: David Arrington, Deputy City Manager

Recommendation: Approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to retain ownership of the Claflin School property located on 5th Avenue for an additional six (6) month period.

Background: On April 8, 2014, a presentation was made to Council on the status of the Claflin School property. The City approved taking possession of the property from the Muscogee County School District on January 22, 2013 in Resolution 32-13 in-lieu of the property reverting back to the Federal Government. The City’s intended use was for the proposed Opportunity Center, a resource center to address homelessness in our community. The cost to rehabilitate the building was a key factor in the site not being selected for this purpose. The proposed use of the building also met with some resistance from some members of the public. The City conducted a nine (9) month Request for Proposal process to find a suitable developer to develop the property in accordance with the restrictions on the deed requiring the property to be used for educational purposes. The RFP process resulted in no viable proposals being submitted. Based on the lack of these efforts to result in a viable use for the property, staff recommended to Council the building be deeded to the Federal Government consistent with the deed restrictions. Council directed staff to conduct one more public meeting to see if there was any public interest in developing the property.

Analysis: On April 21, 2014 City staff held a public meeting at the City Services Center on the Claflin School property. The meeting was advertised in the newspaper, City's Website, CCGTV, and through the Planning Department email notification system. A total of 42 citizens attended the meeting. A brief presentation was made on the City’s efforts to find an appropriate use for the building and the current condition of the building. At the conclusion of the meeting a group of citizens requested the City retain ownership of the property for an additional six months to allow them time to identify an appropriate use for the building and identify funding for the rehabilitation and on-going operation of the facility. The group was advised their request would be forwarded to Council for consideration. Assuming the request is approved by Council at the May 27th Council meeting. The deadline for submission of a proposal would be November 26, 2014. Any proposal submitted would need to address all of the elements previously required in the RFP process for development of the property as listed below.

Request for Proposal Requirements

Projected Use
1. Describe your projected use(s) for the building
2. Describe your projected use(s) for the land surrounding the building,
including site plan.

Service Plan
Provide an estimated timeline for completion of the redevelopment project. Do not
include actual dates in the timeline, rather days, weeks and months.

Deed Restrictions
Describe how the project will adhere to the deed restrictions.

Architectural Preservation
Describe how you will preserve the architectural features of the building.

Financial Strategy
Provide realistic, verifiable financial projections and sources of revenue for the
initial rehabilitation of the building.

Financial Feasibility Plan
Provide a financial feasibility plan for the ongoing operation of the site when fully
operations.

Proposed Team
Provide resumes of the development team members, which demonstrate relevant
experience.

Experience with Similar Projects
1. Describe your experience with historic rehabilitation and/or adaptive reuse
projects.
2. For the five (5) most recently completed historic rehabilitation and/or adaptive
use projects, provide the client name, contact name, telephone & fax numbers,
email address, project cost and date of completion.
3. Indicate whether the respondent has been involved in any litigation/claims
regarding historic rehabilitation and/or adaptive use projects.

During the six (6) month extension period it will be necessary for the City to maintain the property by keeping the grass cut in compliance with City Code and keep the building secured. No other maintenance or stabilization efforts will be performed on the building during this period.

Financial Considerations: The City will be required to maintain the exterior of the property in accordance with City standards.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None

Legal Considerations: None

Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize the City Manager to retain ownership of the Claflin School property located on 5th Avenue for an additional six (6) month period.


Res 32-13.pdf


A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF THE CLAFLIN SCHOOL PROPERTY LOCATED ON 5TH AVENUE FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF SIX (6) MONTHS.

WHEREAS, the City accepted ownership of the Claflin School property on January 22, 2013 in Resolution 32-13 in lieu of allowing the property to revert to the ownership of the Federal Government and,

WHEREAS, the City desired to pursue development opportunities for the property in compliance with specific deed restrictions on the use of the property and,

WHEREAS, the City conducted a Request for Proposal process for development of the property and did not receive a viable proposal for development of the property.

WHEREAS, a public meeting was held on April 22, 2014 to determine if there was additional public interest in developing the property. At the public meeting a group of citizens requested the City retain ownership of the property for an additional six (6) months to allow the public the opportunity to pursue alternatives to develop the property and,

WHEREAS, the approval by Council of a six month extension would require any proposals for redevelopment be submitted to the City no later than November 26, 2014.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager is hereby authorized to retain ownership of the Claflin School property for an additional period of six (6) months to allow the public to pursue development of a viable redevelopment opportunity for the property that is consistent with the deed restrictions on the property. All proposal would be required to be submitted to the City Manager's Office no later than November 26, 2014.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________, 2014 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.





Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

______________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor